Where to Find the Night Switch for Your Rearview Mirror

In most cars, the night switch for the interior rearview mirror is a small lever located on the bottom edge of the mirror; on newer vehicles with auto-dimming mirrors, it’s typically a button on the mirror itself (often labeled “AUTO” or with a power icon), and some models have no manual switch because dimming is fully automatic or controlled in the vehicle settings. Below is how to identify and use each type.

What the Night Switch Does

The night setting reduces glare from headlights behind you. Traditional mirrors use a prismatic glass design that you toggle with a mechanical lever to change the reflected angle. Modern auto-dimming (electrochromic) mirrors darken electronically when their light sensors detect glare, often with an on/off control or no user action required.

Where to Find It by Mirror Type

Manual Day/Night Lever (Prismatic Mirror)

On vehicles with a manual day/night mirror, look for a small plastic tab or lever centered along the bottom of the interior mirror housing. Flip it forward or backward to switch between day (bright) and night (dim) modes. This is the most common setup on older and many entry-level vehicles.

Auto-Dimming (Electrochromic) Mirror

On auto-dimming mirrors, check the mirror’s front face or lower edge for a button labeled “AUTO,” “DIM,” or a power symbol. Press to enable/disable dimming; an indicator light may confirm it’s active. Some models place the control in the infotainment or vehicle settings menu; others have no user switch at all and dim automatically using built-in front and rear light sensors. If you see small round sensor windows on both sides of the mirror glass and no lever, you likely have auto-dimming.

Digital Rearview Camera Mirror

Some newer vehicles offer a digital rearview camera mirror. A toggle or rocker beneath the mirror switches between optical mirror and camera view, with nearby buttons for brightness, tilt, and zoom. This setup may not include a traditional night lever because the camera view is adjusted electronically.

How to Use It

The steps vary slightly by mirror type. Follow these general steps to ensure you’re using the night function correctly and safely.

1. Identify your mirror type: look for a lever (manual), an “AUTO/ON-OFF” button (auto-dim), or a camera toggle (digital mirror).
2. For manual mirrors: at night, flip the lever on the bottom edge of the mirror toward you or away (varies by model) until headlight glare is reduced.
3. For auto-dimming mirrors: press the AUTO/Power button to enable dimming; ensure the indicator light (if equipped) is on.
4. Ensure sensors are unobstructed: avoid covering the small sensor dots on the mirror front/back and keep the windshield area clean.
5. Test at night: with a vehicle behind you, confirm the mirror dims or the manual setting reduces glare without overly darkening the view.

Once properly set, you should have a clearer rear view with reduced glare; adjust only as needed to maintain visibility and comfort.

If You Can’t Find It

If the switch or control isn’t obvious, use the following checks to locate it or confirm how your mirror operates.

• Feel along the bottom edge of the mirror for a small lever (manual type).
• Look for buttons labeled “AUTO,” “DIM,” or a power icon on the mirror frame; check for an indicator light.
• Open your vehicle’s infotainment/settings menu and search for “Mirror,” “Lighting,” or “Auto-dimming” options.
• Shift into reverse briefly: many auto-dimming mirrors temporarily disable dimming when reversing—this can confirm the feature is present.
• Consult your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s online manual using your VIN or model/year.
• If the mirror has a camera toggle and no lever, you likely have a digital rearview mirror rather than a traditional night switch.

These steps usually reveal whether you have a manual lever, an electronic control, or a fully automatic system that doesn’t require a user switch.

Safety Tips and Troubleshooting

Proper setup and maintenance help the night function work effectively and safely.

• Keep the mirror and windshield clean; dirt can reduce sensor accuracy on auto-dimming mirrors.
• Be aware that interior dome/map lights and some windshield tints can interfere with auto-dimming performance.
• If the mirror never dims, check the fuse, look for a disconnected harness (common after windshield replacement), or verify the feature in settings.
• Side mirrors: some vehicles have auto-dimming side mirrors linked to the interior mirror; manual levers are rare on side mirrors.
• Replacement mirrors may differ from original equipment; verify functions if your windshield or mirror was recently replaced.

If issues persist, a quick inspection by a dealer or qualified technician can confirm wiring, sensor, or settings problems.

Summary

You’ll typically find the night switch as a small lever under the interior rearview mirror (manual mirrors) or as an AUTO/Power button on the mirror for auto-dimming models; some cars manage dimming automatically or via infotainment settings with no physical switch. Identify your mirror type, use the appropriate control, and keep sensors and glass clean to ensure safe, glare-free night driving.

How to adjust the rear view mirror at night?

To adjust your rearview mirror at night, find the small tab or lever at the bottom of the mirror and pull it toward you to activate night mode. This changes the mirror’s angle, dimming the bright glare from headlights behind you while still allowing you to see. For auto-dimming mirrors, this may happen automatically, but some have a button to manually adjust the dimming sensitivity. 
Manual Mirror Adjustment (Day-Night Lever)

1. Locate the tab: Look for a small tab or lever at the bottom of the interior rearview mirror. 
2. Pull the tab toward you: This shifts the mirror’s angle to its “night” setting, which reduces the reflection from headlights. 
3. Observe the change: The reflection will appear darker, but you can still see the vehicles behind you. 
4. Remember to switch back: In the morning, pull the tab forward to return the mirror to its daytime setting for better visibility during daylight. 

This video demonstrates how to find and use the day-night lever on a manual rearview mirror: 1mVacation ImpossibleYouTube · Apr 20, 2020
Auto-Dimming Mirror

• Automatic function: Many modern vehicles have auto-dimming mirrors that sense bright lights and darken the mirror automatically. 
• Sensors: These mirrors have light sensors, usually on the front and back, that detect light levels and adjust the mirror’s darkness accordingly. 
• Manual override: Some auto-dimming mirrors may have a button to manually adjust the dimming sensitivity. 
• Obstructions: To ensure the auto-dimming feature works correctly, make sure the sensors are not blocked by anything, such as a parking sticker. 

This video explains how auto-dimming rearview mirrors work: 48sHistory of Simple ThingsYouTube · Oct 22, 2024
Key Considerations

• Clarity vs. Glare: Opens in new tabUsing the night setting reduces glare but also sacrifices some clarity, making it harder to see details behind you. 
• Lane Changes: Opens in new tabBe extra cautious when changing lanes or making turns in night mode, as you may have reduced visibility of what is behind you. 
• Consult Your Owner’s Manual: Opens in new tabIf you have an electronic or unusual mirror system, check your car’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on adjusting it. 

Do rear view mirrors have night mode?

On manual tilt versions, a tab is used to adjust the mirror between “day” and “night” positions.

What is the switch on the rear view mirror?

The switch on a manual rearview mirror is a day/night dimmer control that reduces the intensity of the reflection, preventing driver glare from headlights at night. By flipping the switch, you tilt the mirror to reflect light off a less-reflective, non-silvered front surface rather than the highly reflective rear surface. This creates a dimmer, dimmer, and less obtrusive image, making it safer to see other vehicles without being blinded. 
This video demonstrates how to use the manual dimmer switch on a rear view mirror: 48sLearn to drive TravisYouTube · Jun 8, 2025
How it works:

1. Day mode: In the default “day” setting, the switch is positioned to show a bright and clear reflection from the mirror’s silvered back surface, giving you a strong view of what’s behind you. 
2. Night mode: When you flip the switch (usually by pushing it towards you or tilting it), you change the angle of the mirror. The mirror itself is prismatic, meaning its front and back surfaces aren’t parallel. The switch redirects the line of sight to a point where you’re now reflecting light off the non-silvered front glass surface. 
3. Reduced Glare: This non-silvered front surface reflects only a small fraction of the light, effectively creating a much dimmer and dimmer reflection that is much less likely to cause glare. 

When to use it:

• Day Driving: Opens in new tabKeep the switch in the “day” position for a clear, bright view of the road behind you. 
• Night Driving: Opens in new tabFlip the switch to the “night” position to reduce glare from the headlights of vehicles behind you. 

You can watch this video to learn when to use the dimmer switch: 42sToyota USAYouTube · Oct 1, 2011

How do you get night driving mode on their rear view mirror?

The “night mode” on a manual rearview mirror involves pulling a small tab at the bottom of the mirror towards you, which changes the mirror’s angle to reduce glare from headlights. This anti-glare function dims the bright reflection by shifting it from the highly reflective back surface to the less reflective front surface of the mirror. While this reduces glare, it also sacrifices some clarity of the image behind you, so caution is advised when changing lanes or turning.
 
How to activate night mode:

1. Locate the tab: Find the small lever or tab at the bottom of the inside rearview mirror. 
2. Pull the tab: Gently pull the tab towards you to switch the mirror to its night setting. 
3. Observe the change: The mirror will change angle, and the reflection will appear darker, effectively dimming bright lights from behind. 

How it works (for manual mirrors):

• In daytime (“day mode”), the mirror’s reflective surface is angled to show a bright, clear image from directly behind the car. 
• In “night mode,” pulling the tab angles the mirror so that the light from headlights passes through the front glass, then reflects off the less reflective rear surface. This diffusion of light significantly reduces the glare without completely blocking your view of the road. 

This video demonstrates how to activate night mode on a manual rearview mirror: 1mHelpful DIYYouTube · Jun 14, 2022
Important considerations:

• Reduced clarity: Activating night mode does reduce the clarity of the image. 
• Caution at night: Be careful when changing lanes or turning, as the reduced clarity can make it harder to see. 
• Automatic mirrors: Some newer vehicles have automatic, electrochromic mirrors that darken automatically in response to light sensors, eliminating the need for a manual tab.